FAREWELL TO SOME RELIGIOUS COMMUNITIES

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Donald Pierce
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1 FAREWELL TO SOME RELIGIOUS COMMUNITIES Bishop Paul Bird farewells the religious communities moving on from the Diocese of Ballarat and expresses his thanks and gratitude for their contribution to all in the Diocese in the following letter. Dear Friends, Around this time, we are farewelling the St John of God Sisters community from Ballarat, the Christian Brothers community from Warrnambool and the Franciscan Friars from Guildford. Soon we will also be farewelling Divine Word Missionary Fr Henry Nikel. The Christian Brothers community will be leaving Warrnambool in the coming weeks. There were ceremonies in Warrnambool on Sunday February 16 to thank the Brothers for 112 years of service there. Brothers, parishioners and past students attended a Mass at St Joseph s Church and a gathering at Emmanuel College which included a tree-planting as a memorial to the Brothers service. I thank the Brothers for their great contribution to Catholic education in Warrnambool. Soon we will also be farewelling the St John of God Sisters community from Ballarat. I am most grateful for their devoted service in the St John of God Hospital and also for the wonderful hospitality and care they have shown to the priests of the Diocese over so many years. On Thursday March 6 there will be a Mass and afternoon tea at the St John of God hospital in Ballarat and then on Wednesday March 12 there will be a dinner at Craig s Hotel to farewell the St John of God Sisters. The coming months will conclude the Franciscan Friars time at Francis Haven at Guildford. I give thanks for the service the Friars have rendered in the Diocese, including the welcome they have given to those who have made retreats at Francis Haven. On the afternoon of Saturday March 8 there will be an open house at Francis Haven to farewell the Franciscan Friars. Also in the coming months we will be saying farewell to Divine Word Missionary, Fr Henry Nikel. After some visits to hospital in recent times, it became clear that Fr Henry would need some extra care. In discussions with his provincial, Fr Henry proposed that he return to his home province of Poland. He has been staying at Nazareth House for some weeks now and will continue to do so until arrangements can be finalised for his return to Poland. I am very grateful to Fr Henry for the generous service he has given in the Diocese of Ballarat, particularly to the Polish community in the earlier years and more recently to nursing home residents. To all these religious I offer our thanks for their great contribution to our Diocesan community. Below is a report on the farewell to the Christian Brothers held in Warrnambool: May God bless them always. Paul Bird CSsR Bishop of Ballarat CHRISTIAN BROTHERS FAREWELLED FROM WARRNAMBOOL The Christian Brothers were officially farewelled from the Warrnambool community on Sunday, February 17, 2014 after a one hundred and twelve year contribution to education in our district. Brothers Gabe Rowbotton, Dermott Shortill and Hugh Sharpe are relocating to Melbourne. The Sunday farewell began with Mass at St Joseph s Church and was followed by lunch, an historical display and tree planting at the Emmanuel College Rice Campus in Canterbury Road - the site of the former Christian Brothers College, which amalgamated with St Ann s College to become Emmanuel College in 1991.

Although the Brothers insisted on a low-key event, past students and staff members travelled from all around Victoria to attend the day, along with: Bishop of the Ballarat Diocese, Paul Bird and Br

Many visitors took the opportunity to write about their memories of their education and interactions with the Brothers in a book that was presented to Hugh, Dermott and Gabe.

Brothers. Brothers Dermot, Hugh and Gabe on behalf of St Joseph's Parish, we thank you for the enormous contribution you have made to the life of our parish.

2 Although the Brothers insisted on a low-key event, past students and staff members travelled from all around Victoria to attend the day, along with: Bishop of the Ballarat Diocese, Paul Bird and Br Vince Duggan, the leader of the Christian Brothers Oceania Province. Many visitors took the opportunity to write about their memories of their education and interactions with the Brothers in a book that was presented to Hugh, Dermott and Gabe. A tribute paid to the Christian Brothers at the farewell Mass, from the St Joseph s Parish: With goodbyes there is always some sadness, and today is no exception as we say farewell to the Christian Brothers. Brothers Dermot, Hugh and Gabe on behalf of St Joseph's Parish, we thank you for the enormous contribution you have made to the life of our parish. We thank you for your generous spirit in sharing your time and talents in the various groups and ministries you have been involved in. We thank you too for your friendship, which has meant so much to all of us. Brothers, we wish you good health, happiness and fulfilment wherever you may be. You will be sadly missed. We will always remember you with gratitude and affection. May God bless you always. Thank you. Rose Conheady Parishioner

Christian Brothers Farewelled from Warrnambool after 112 years The Christian Brothers were officially farewelled from the Warrnambool community on Sunday February 17 after a 112 year contribution to

The Sunday farewell began with Mass at St Joseph s Church and was followed by lunch, an historical display and tree planting at the Emmanuel College Rice Campus in Canterbury Road - the site of the

Although the Brothers insisted on a low-key Br Hugh Sharpe event, past students and staff members travelled from all around Victoria to attend the day, along with: Bishop of the Ballarat Diocese,

3 Christian Brothers Farewelled from Warrnambool after 112 years The Christian Brothers were officially farewelled from the Warrnambool community on Sunday February 17 after a 112 year contribution to education in our district. Brothers Gabe Rowbotton, Dermott Shortill and Hugh Sharpe are reloctaing to Melbourne. The Sunday farewell began with Mass at St Joseph s Church and was followed by lunch, an historical display and tree planting at the Emmanuel College Rice Campus in Canterbury Road - the site of the former Christian Brothers College, which amalgamated with St Ann s College to become Emmanuel College in Although the Brothers insisted on a low-key Br Hugh Sharpe event, past students and staff members travelled from all around Victoria to attend the day, along with: Bishop of the Ballarat Diocese, Paul Bird and Br Vince Duggan - the leader of the Christian Brothers Oceania Province. Many visitors took the opportunity to write about their memories of their education and interactions with the Brothers in a book that was presented to Hugh, Dermott and Gabe. Emmanuel College Principal Principal Peter Morgan paid the following tribute to the Brothers at the tree planting: My name is Peter Morgan. I am the current Principal of Emmanuel College and the proud leader of this school community whose origins span 142 years, 112 of which have known the presence of the Christian Brothers as members of this Warrnambool community. I welcome you to this the site of the former St. Josephs and later Christian Brothers Colleges, and now, as Emmanuel College, a place of learning that continues the great tradition of Catholic education on this site for over 100 years. As we begin the formal part of our day, I pay my respects to the traditional custodians of this land, the Gunditjmara people, who educated their children upon these lands in traditional ways for many thousands of years. In the past 100 years there would have been many great gatherings of people upon these school grounds, for example: To witness the opening of this site in 1912 described at the time as advancing another step in Catholic Education in Warrnambool. To welcome and farewell Brothers arriving and departing the Warrnambool community. To celebrate and, no doubt, commiserate, significant events aligned with sporting achievements and with history, including two world wars. To participate in occasions that formed part of the annual cycle of the Church s calendar; To witness the opening of new buildings and facilities, such as the new school on the corner of Canterbury Road in 1956 attended by 2,000 people according to the Warrnambool Standard; and To acknowledge the great transition in 1991 of both CBC and St Ann s Colleges into the newly formed Emmanuel College. And today, we gather again to mark another significant occasion, this time, the departure of the last three Christian Brothers from our community, Brothers Gabe, Hugh and Dermott. Brothers Gabe Rowbottom, Hugh Sharpe and Dermott Shortill, represent for us within this school, our human link to the 100s of men who gave dedicated and committed service to this school over 112 years. In doing so, the Brothers from Brother Egan onwards, educated thousands of Warrnambool boys providing them with avenues, with opportunities and with pathways that did not at all times during those 112 years come readily to Catholic boys. The education provided by the Christian Brothers here in Warrnambool and mirrored across countless communities Australia wide, contributed to the great social leap forward experienced by Catholics in this country.

The success of Catholic education is evident today through the Catholic men and women in key political and decision-making positions, in cultural, business, education and service roles, so many of

Indeed, in 1902 and for many years to come, Australian Catholics were to experience a social inequity that, thankfully, is a memory today.

The Brothers recognized the liberating power of education and through their presence here in Warrnambool brought liberation to those they taught.

As current Principal of this College I often wonder how we will ever afford to do all the things we plan to ensure this College is the education leader within this region.

The Brother s however, did not receive this support until at least the 1970s.

I pay tribute to all those Brothers, to the Principals, and to the families of Warrnambool who supported this College ensuring its survival.

The day is almost here when the Brothers will no longer be resident in Warrnambool.

4 The success of Catholic education is evident today through the Catholic men and women in key political and decision-making positions, in cultural, business, education and service roles, so many of whom are shaping the future of this nation and taking their place upon the world stage. However, this was not the experience of Indeed, in 1902 and for many years to come, Australian Catholics were to experience a social inequity that, thankfully, is a memory today. We have men like the Christian Brothers and schools like CBC Warrnambool to thank for laying the foundations that gave rise to the equality and the opportunities we experience today. The Brothers recognized the liberating power of education and through their presence here in Warrnambool brought liberation to those they taught. Of course they did this through financially very difficult times. As current Principal of this College I often wonder how we will ever afford to do all the things we plan to ensure this College is the education leader within this region. But at least I go home at the end of each day knowing I have Government support, both State and Federal, to run this school and the recognition within Australian society that that is how it should be. The Brother s however, did not receive this support until at least the 1970s. They ran the school instead through the generosity of the men who dedicated their working lives to educating the Catholic boys of Warrnambool. I pay tribute to all those Brothers, to the Principals, and to the families of Warrnambool who supported this College ensuring its survival. And I thank the Christian brothers for their on-going support through their governance of this community since it became Emmanuel College. The day is almost here when the Brothers will no longer be resident in Warrnambool. But this College will continue to be a school that looks to the tradition and the example of Blessed Edmund Rice, and all of the Christian Brothers who followed in his footsteps, so we continue to be a College through which our young people might learn to live, to have life and to have it to the full. And in turn become young adults acculturated into the way of giving and therefore generous in the way they give of themselves to nourish and sustain their communities into the future. To Dermott, Hugh and Gabe, I give you my thanks for being part of our community and on behalf of this Emmanuel community we extend you our best wishes for all the journey ahead brings you. Ladies and Gentlemen, before I introduce Brother Vince Duggan and Brian Callaghan, I ask you to put your hands together to recognize the presence of the Christian Brothers in Warrnambool for the past 112 years, and in particular Brothers Gabe, Hugh and Dermott as they depart this community for the final time. Dear Brothers, It is with great sadness that I say Goodbye. The Christian Brothers have been a large part of my life for many years, beginning with my education in Maths and the Sciences as a student at St. Ann s. My teaching career could not have had a better influence than the wonderful men who I taught with through the years at CBC and I am lucky enough to still be in regular contact with some of those men. Working with the Brothers taught me about compassion, gentleness, support and and acceptance of all. they helped me to work to find the finer qualities, not only in the young people we work with, but in anyone we come into contact with. Grateful thanks for the support, encouragement, inspiration and friendship. Wishing you all the very best for the future, Ann-Marie (Dalton) Moloney Brian Callaghan responds on behalf of past students Br Terry Bourke and Br John Hagen Jenni Larsen & Sr Margaret Sheehan Graeme Mayne & Lorraine Pye Andrew O Flynn & Br Vince Duggan Mary Shanahan, Tony Shanahan & Br Kevin Nangle Paul Azzopardi & Brian Kermond

5 The leader of the Christian Brothers Oceania Province Br Vince Duggan responds on behalf of the Brothers Bishop Paul Bird Principal Peter Morgan officially farewells the Brothers at the tree planting ceremony A plaque was laid to commemorate this significant event in Emmanuel College History Peter Morgan officially farewells the Brothers on behalf of the College Br Ian Roberton & Sr Geraldine Mugavin Patrick & Fiona Kavanagh Matt Price & Will Ryan David Stapleton & Anthony Newman Barry & Carol Walsh Drs Ron & Carlyn Sproston David Beard & Jacki Carruthers

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